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Mondays with Mike: Sanford hoping Hawaii is on his team’s mind
Rebels coach preaches putting Oregon State game in the past
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009 | 2:30 a.m.
Oregon State vs UNLV
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Despite a fourth-quarter rally, UNLV fell short at home against Oregon State 23-21.
Next game
- Opponent: Hawaii
- Date: Sept. 19, 8 p.m.
- Where: Sam Boyd Stadium
- TV: The Mtn., Cox ch. 334
- Radio: ESPN Radio 1100 AM
- The Line: UNLV by 7
Hawaii quarterback Greg Alexander throws a touchdown pass to Greg Salas against Washington State during the first half of the Warriors' 38-20 victory on Saturday in Seattle.
Editor's note: Each Monday, UNLV football coach Mike Sanford meets with the media to discuss last weekend's action and next weekend's matchup. So each week the Sun will bring you notes and quotes discussing both.
UNLV coach Mike Sanford hopes that the slight sense of frustration and disappointment that lingered on Sunday from his team's heartbreaking 23-21 loss a night earlier to Oregon State was the last he'll see of it.
"I would say probably a combination of coming back from disappointment and analyzing the game, looking at what we did and looking at why we didn't win," he said in summing up his team's Sunday get-together. "The mood was a combination of, I think, frustration and analyzing the reality of what happened, why it happened, and what we must improve on and get better at to win those close games."
Sanford said a good portion of the team's film session was centered on four big run plays that the defense allowed, and six crucial offensive snaps that helped to stymie solid drives that could have produced points.
"On defense, if you take those four plays out, they average 1.8 yards a rush — all four of those plays led to scores," he said. "You take six plays out on offense, and that's a different game. We score more points and it's a whole different ending."
But, of course, hindsight is still 20-20, and the Rebels essentially have an entire season still to come.
And the fact is, Sanford doesn't want anyone on his team taking satisfaction from Saturday night's experience at Sam Boyd Stadium.
"To me, our deal and looking at the last game, one of the things that I believe very strongly is that the days are over where we're gonna ever be satisfied with playing well and not winning," he said. "To me, it's all about winning, and it's all about making plays to win a close game. So that's all that matters."
So on to this Saturday, then ...
The Rebels will welcome 2-0 Hawaii to Sam Boyd Stadium for another 8 p.m. kickoff this weekend, and finding motivation for several players on the UNLV roster won't be too difficult.
"I think there's a lot of interest in this game in a lot of ways," Sanford said. "We recruit the Hawaiian islands and Polynesian players very aggressively, and that's one of the main things we do from a recruiting standpoint. There's a lot of interest. There's a lot of Polynesian people in Southern Nevada. It's gonna be an exciting atmosphere on Saturday night."
UNLV has five players who call Hawaii home — defensive tackle Ramsey Feagai, long snapper Kamu Kapanui, defensive end Malo Taumua, guard Sean Tesoro and offensive lineman Daniel Kaanana.
"Just in general, I think it helps us, No. 1 to play them, No. 2 to beat them — it helps recruiting," Sanford added, regarding the game's significance. "I can't quantify it or be real specific, but I would say it's definitely a big help.
"This is gonna be an emotional game for a lot of guys, and that's gonna be an important thing, to play with passion but be under control."
More on Hawaii
If the Warriors added the name 'Road' before their mascot name this week, no one could really blame them.
After downing Washington State, 38-20, on Saturday afternoon in Seattle, Hawaii boarded a plane and headed straight to Las Vegas, checking into their team hotel late in the evening.
They're in town all week and will hold practices at Palo Verde High after taking Monday off.
But don't think that Hawaii living out of suitcases necessarily works in the Rebels' favor.
Sanford pointed out that the Warriors stayed on the mainland the week leading up to their last game at Sam Boyd Stadium in 2007.
En route to an undefeated regular season, after defeating Louisiana Tech in overtime, 45-44, they stayed in Houston for the week before coming to town and thoroughly whipping the Rebels, 49-14, behind star quarterback Colt Brennan.
This time, the Warriors bring another big-time arm in the form of senior Greg Alexander, who Sanford dug deep to compare to former Michigan/Idaho State quarterback Matt Gutierrez. He started for ISU against UNLV back in 2006, and now the backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs is in his third season as an NFL reserve.
Keying an offensive onslaught against Washington State, Alexander went 26-of-36 for 453 yards and three touchdown passes.
The Cougars turned the ball over seven times and certainly helped the Warriors some, but Greg McMackin's club was still impressive when the ball was in its possession.
"They had 63 plays for 626 yards," Sanford said. "That's almost 10 yards a play. Obviously (Alexander's) very good.
"They're a passing team. Run-and-shoot, committed to the pass. We've got to be able to slow them down, contain them and rush the passer. I think we're better than we were a year ago, we're better than we were two years ago in those areas."
Injury updates
Senior defensive end/linebacker Jason Beauchamp gave an inspired performance Saturday night, playing roughly half the game and registering five tackles and a crucial late sack.
But he was indeed playing hurt. Noticeably limping after the game, he did not re-aggravate his sprained right ankle.
"You can tape it and brace it to avoid the pain," Sanford said. "I don't think he damaged it any more, but he still has swelling. It's not over yet. Even though he played, that's gonna be an ongoing thing. Hopefully not too long."
His status for this weekend is uncertain.
"I don't know what his status is as far as being able to practice normally," Sanford added, as Beauchamp was held out of most of last week's practice sessions.
As for junior quarterback Omar Clayton, who left with a sprained right knee during Saturday's second half, he was back out at practice, running around just fine on Sunday evening.
"He's gonna get an MRI," Sanford said, adding that it's simply precautionary. "In all of the manipulation stuff, there's no visible damage and not a lot of swelling. So we're gonna have to see the MRI."
Junior defensive end Malo Taumua's foot will not affect him this weekend, as X-rays at halftime Saturday came back negative. He was slow to come out of the locker room after being stepped on late in the first half.
As for sophomore running back C.J. Cox, his hamstring is now healed, and he's expected to get carries and touches behind Channing Trotter, who appears to be entrenched as UNLV's starter.
As for the crowd ...
Sam Boyd Stadium held nearly 26,000 fans Saturday night, but some locals were disappointed that roughly 8,000 of them were wearing orange rather than red.
Expect a similar crowd Saturday night, with Hawaii having a hefty amount of backers in the stands.
"That's an ongoing thing," Sanford said. "I think as we build it, they will come. As we win, they will come. Honestly, I think that there's a lot of cities (like that). San Diego was like this with the Chargers. We played Green Bay, and I'd say two-thirds of the stadium was wearing Green Bay stuff. I just think there's towns that are like this, and they're waiting for us to give them something to come out for, and I really believe they'll come."
After Saturday's home game, the Rebels aren't back at Sam Boyd until Oct. 10 against BYU.
Discussion: 27 comments so far…
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We're gonna lose this one due to the hangover from last week. I hope I'm wrong.
i hope your wrong too Lenny. The Rebels of old would, let's see if Sanford is gonna be able to make that change this weekend.
@ Lenny
as do I.
same old rebels... couldnt get substitutions in, forgot about the run, so frustrating. oh well, thats what i signed up for. Go rebels, beat reno.
Wow! same ole Vegas fans....
We need to recruit heart.
There are many atheletes with speed and no heart.
If we play with heart all will be well.
You can totally tell the students who play with passion and heart.
The team has to be self motivated. Im from the hood and we played like we were trying to make it out the ghetto of Los Angeles. Those elements really make a difference.
Everyone has it in them. You do not have to be from a land full of killers to have heart. It is just a matter of knowing how to tap into that fire inside. I only see that fire in certain players. The Coaches will win or lose this season for us.
We can actually beat anyone on a given day unless that team is playing with more heart than we bring.
This is the year. Sure we can pull off a better record in years to come but there will not be another Ryan Wolfe or Jason Beauchamp for sometime.
I dig Coach Sanford. I only hope there are leaders on the team that can bring out that fire in the team.
If we do well this year UNLV will get great commitments and fans will come. If not the program will be exposed. If we don't win this year the school will have to spend some money on beautifing the program and its facilities.
Freshman come to UNLV to play right away. Locals come to be close to home and be a star in the community right away. Juco players come to play right away.
The dream that is sold to get these players to UNLV is not being fulfilled. The Juco Transfers are not playing like they thought they would. The highly recruited freshman have not touched the ball (except for Barefield). This means next year when the coaches use the line "you can play right away" they may not have proof of a track record. Do what is right and leave the favorism and politics alone. I think at this point the coaches should ask the players to vote on who should play. The fans have an idea more than the coaches do that may be more intune with what the players feel.
All i'm saying is if the coaches mess this year up it's going to be difficult to make up for it.
UNLVbcs- think you should be specific,or perhaps you are the greatest psycho-therapist and have a lounge act at circus circus.How can you really make a statement about a recruit's heart(commitment..etc,)?
Though without it you don't have a football team.
Also I believe all who play football have it ,it is one of those things a Coach<lombardi,Madden..>
brings out in the player,the list can go on.
Do you perform nightly?
Just kidding.
@moni I feel you and respect you. I did not want to get specific. It's a sensitive subject when students are involved. I root for Coach Sanford because I think he is a God Fearing man.
Players like 55 stand out for UNLV even when playing Sac State because he plays with heart. It is an art to recuit heart. Killers recognize killers, beauty recognizes beauty, and heart recognizes heart. You are right, it's one of those things a coach brings out. I respect Sanford because he may love God, not because I believe he brings out the passion in the players.
It seems like the players love Sanford for being a good man. If you asked a player if Sanford is the best at pumping a guy up, that may not be the case. Other players may do bring out the passion in their fellow warriors better than UNLVs staff.
I played with Killers and gangbangers. One player shot a guy before the game. My QB was benched for smelling like weed. I say that to say the coaches we were coached by needed to contain elements that are not often seen in others neighborhoods.
We got shot at during the games if we won against the opposing gangs team. Beverly Hills would only play us at their home in the day time. Football was some players only way out as they saw it so they played like it was life or death. Moreover most of us did not see ourselves living past the age of 19 and had no plan for live unless it was football. I for one was told by an uncle that i would be dead by 19 or 18. I could not help but believe it.
The only jobs were at the mall or places that were owned by Asians who were used to hiring their own family.
I wish i could get specific and name names. That is my human desire. Instead i desire the best and think UNLV has a great thing. They can go all the way to the top this year. It will take being most passionate.
@Sufferin
There is always a statistic you can bring up to put a coach in a negative light. No matter how good or average the coach is, you can make him look like a bad coach fairly easily. For Example:
Pete Carroll- 1-3 against oregon State in the last 3 years
Jim Tressel- 4-4 bowl record as well as losing by an average of 2 touchdowns in the last 3 BCS Games
Urban Meyer- 1-1 against pathetic New Mexico for his career
Nick Saban- 4-6 in bowl games
Not camparing Mike Sanford to those coaches by any means though
UNLVbcs- thanks for keeping it real, my question of prior was one of entertainment to draw out MORE REAL from you, I also and believe you are remarking on things that are just as good as 1st hand. When and if need be I will be specific.Too young in the season I am told, however very late in my book with respect to what Coach Sanford has said. I know that men like him that are pragmatic don't do surprise,or the unexpected.I believe the team is motivated towards him due to, he is decent.No
he does not have the charima of a topshelf winning coach you can't buy it.Been around a few, you feel it .If Sanford does
have telling mistruths in his bag of traits.The MTF is a loser.So I hope to see how he pans out .
Sufferin ,last year stats are horse sh#&t, let old stay old and use ase he say's "a whole new era for unlv football. and I am just hoping Sanford had a brain fart that left him dingy threw last weeks game.
Hawaii beat who? exactly they beat one of the WORSE teams this year in College football. Damn media B>S We will win. A question,Why did didnt UNLV hit up John Robinson's Son for the JOB?or at least for Therrells.
Moni,
"The further away you are from the field, the easier it is to coach." What are your qualifications? Sounds like you're one who sits far away from the field and has a lot to say about coaching. Let's get behind the program. They desire our encouragement!
UNLVbcs,
I feel ya brutha. Just a hunch, you don't have to answer this but did you play for Dominquez? Heart, instincts, & passion is something a coach doesn't put in a player the best coaches know how to channel that out of players & onto the field. I to respect Sanford for his beliefs but is he the coach that can channel that fire, drive, passion, & killer instinct out of his best players? Football is a violent, aggressive, physical game and somewhere along the lines these players have to refuse to lose & step their game up. We had a plaque that hung above our lockerroom door that read "Refuse to Lose - Play Like A Champion" and all of us as players would touch it as we left for the field in acknowedgment that this is how we are going to play, we almost won state... Our coach kicked our butts, & treated us like men even though 95% of our team did not have a father at home, none of us dared get in coahces face or disrespect him. We played our gutts out for coach because we believed in him. I just hope UNLV can take it to the next level as players.
yearlyballs - "The further away you are from the field, the easier it is to coach." If he is coaching they don't hear it. If they/you are not,doing the job <hold on is this YOU coach Sanford? with an Alias? >LOL..
I want to be civil with my remarks cause you are obviousley challenged,mr yearofnuts .Let me tell you I want this to be Greatest Season UNLV has ever had.(If you only knew how much).
Anyway with my seats so far away I have been talking about this safety thing, and oh damn ,one of the safeties #9 has been dropped on that depth chart ,and now starting <congragulations>M.MARTIN is the man at Free.
What does this mean, a broke ol jock <me.>saw this deficiency 2 months ago, Why didnt our Coaches?
Chew on this, when #9 & #5 were in Rodgers had all of his longest runs.When #13 & #22,Rodgers avg.about 1.9 yds a carry.
Bottomline......where is my whistle I will be, the new head coach...LOLOLOLOLOLOOL
Go Get SOME RRRREEEEEEBBBBBEEEELLLLLSssssssssls
Moni,
You aren't the only one that has noticed the inefficiency of Jones & Dixon, they are backup's at best. Martin & Di'Giacomo are the hardest hitters in the rebels secondary. Being a head coach isn't about being nice, it's about winning football games, & you do that by putting your best players on the field all the time, no matter who likes it. I hope to God Grant starts and Purvis is brought off the bench as a dime back. Grant actually lowered his shoulder and got lower then Quizz and tackled him for no gain, imagine that. Get these JC kids in there, they didn't come here to ride the pine. What has happened to Warren Zeigler, Kenny Brown, & BJ Bell why aren't they playing?
Not to compare life stories because that isn't what this post is about but kids from the hood can ball. We learn to fight from a young age just to survive, so we are fighters by nature of our surroundings. I will not say what city I grew up in because I don't glorify my past but our high school was rough and that made us great athletes on the field. The school district had to put bars aournd the windows of our upstairs classrooms because kids used to get thrown through the windows to the pavement below in fights.
@BetOnBlack
You are good. I went to one of Dominguez DOns' rival schools in the same city. Scarlet and White. Big Ten.
@moni for those who tell you it is too early in the season, that would be true if we did not play Oregan State so early. That left no room for late season maturity.
I sat next to Alex DeJackemUps brother at the game agaisnt OSU. He said University of Washington's head coach has a starting spot for him at U Dub right away at safety.
I hope we can keep him. I saw him early in practice before he ever wore the black jersey and was able to tell him "you are my favorite" after seeing him hit. When those things are easy for non-coaches to see, why can't the coaches see them. I'm sure if we were coaching we would miss things as well due to stress and not having the luxury of taking a step back to perspective of the outside looking in. Certainly just because DeJackemUp can hit well is not the reason fans want to see him play; It mayb because fans have been there and seen that from returning player that they are ready to see new Juco guys and highly touted freshman play.
@moni I agree that RB we picked up that is in the highlight film www.vimeo.com/2584786 could have played at USC or someplace. So i do not see why he has not had a carry even if it was against Sac State.
Akbar Gbaja Biamila who announced the OSU vs UNLV game on CBS Sports was at practice before game day and saw #28 RB Randle run 4 TDs against first team D in practice and asked about him (Randle)who was wearing Quizz's #1 in practice. The coach said we have him running scout team as if he was Jaquizz because we don't have a shifty running back like that. If Randle can run 4 TDs on first team D and mimic Quizz Rodgers, why can't he try it in a game. Quizz is one of the best backs in the NCAA. I read a lot about Randle and Jordan Barrette and want to see them be let loose.
Maybe the QB turned safety does well at reading defense.
Maybe BJ Bell is not a beast like his LB brother. He sure looks like it when he blows up the blocking wall on kickoff.
Maybe us fans need to keep silent. It's just that there seems to so much riding on this year that it is difficult to not yell opinions.
God loves a Rebel
Also does anybody know what has happened to Courtney Bridget? He is a big, tall, fast CB that I believe intercepted a fade pass intended for Payne up in Ely. What about Bradley Randle? Are we sure that Trotter is the best back on this team? I met Randle at the spring scrimmage and this kid is full of confidence and skills why not play him? I heard he scored 3x on the 1st team defense last week in practice. Does anybody know about these two?
Sorry, the post above about Randle wasn't there when I made my post. Why not play Randle, when you have abck that can take it to the house on any carry that is so hrd to defend. Sanford turned Barrett into a TE because he said he will never play as LB because we are too deep at that position. What a waste to bring in a kid that expects to play LB and then tell him, sorry were making you a TE. I just hope Randle and all the other high recruits dont transfer out. As fans we always see what the coaches dont see and coaches always see what fans dont see. Anyways here's to rebels blowing up the rainbows this week!!
@BetonBlack
Solid point about the JC's not playing most of the minutes. I have noticed as well that Dixon and Jones have struggled mightily against the run, missing several key tackles against OSU. Martin has replaced Dixon thankfully. I expected the same for Jones but no such luck yet. Grant is an everydown corner and Purvis playing in the dime with his speed is also an excellent idea.
CB Courtney Bridget practices with the red shirters. He seems to have some serious cover skills. I would put him in on 3rd and 26 anyday.
Trotter is great out of the pistol on goaline plays it seems. I just wish he seemed to have better hands for those swing passes they threw.
I saw Randles junior youtube and he seem to take ever screen play to the house with ease and speed. When you have speed and vision lets use it.
It seems like we only call running plays to get 3 yards and set up the play action.
All i'm saying is OSU's momentum and big plays came off the bigger rushing gains they had. We have a player that can get big rushing gains in Randle and that could be the differnce maker in BYU games and such. Add the weapon now while we have Champ and Wolfe. Let's go for it.
I'm glad i read how Barrett has supportive parents and just wants to play at any position. Hopefully he stays also.
Randle was ranked #3 Running back in LA times article.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/13/...
and selected to come to UNLV. I read how he liked the coaches honosty and the fact that he could play right away.
I saw UCLA's freshman QB Richard Brehaut's team (Los Osos)and ASU's fresman LB Vontaze Burfict's Corona Centennial team in his highlight tape so he was ranked high against high competition. Centennial is ranked high in the Nation.
Watch Randle block big #52 at 9:35 seconds on his highlight tape. It looks just like what Jones Drew Did to Shawn Merriman. Watch the stride, speed and vision at 3:50 and Kick off return where he hurdled a player and then reversed field for a TD at 2:05 www.vimeo.com/2584786
Add that to what we have in Trotter and our WR core and we can be the most dynamic offence the spread has to offer.
@BetOnBlack ... My guess is they're both gonna wind up redshirting ...
Comment removed by moderator. Comment contained offensive language.
I understand the whole redshirt thing but this is how I see it. If your freshmen are better then your so called starters you play them. From what I have read some players have done real good against the 1st team & they don't play at all. Randle still has put up the longest run against the rebels this yr. a 90 yarder for a td. & 4 td's last week against the 1st string defense. I don't know, it's just we are starving in this city for a winning football program. We all can see the handwriting on the wall, we have a ton of talent, I know not everybody can play, I just hope that these kids are cool with sitting and waiting for their turn, thats all...
One last thing that I must chime in on. Since we are on the topic of tackling or lack thereof I must point this out. I don't know who the DB's coach is or where he came from but when I took my kids to the spring scrimmage at Sam Boyd we sat at the 50 yd. line right behind the Rebel bench, got there early and watched the rebels go through pre-game drills. The DB coach came over with the db's & proceeded to go through tackling drills right in front of me and I was amazed at the technique he was teaching. He told them I want you to hit high, I want to hear the pop of the pads and that was it. I watched about 15 minutes of this and all he was concerned about was the sound of the pop. There was no emphasis in wrapping up the ball carrier & getting him to the turf!!
I am not trying to critcize this guy but no wonder we have such poor tackling by our db's. I played free safety & was a D-1 recruit, I can honestly tell you I never missed a tackle not at the line of scrimmage or in the open field. My db coach in high school played pro ball so we learned proper technique, you know things like pad level, hitting level, & your hitting always comes from your legs not your upper body. Once contact is made you drive through the ball carrier, put both arms around his waist or legs, and get him to the turf.
Perhaps our db's are doing exactly what they have practiced to do and the result is missed tackles, face mask penalties, stiff arms to the face, & getting run over.
I'm Out....
Ryan, I need ask you though I am sure it is like asking a Magician the secret to a trick.last time a reporter said something about the depth chart and who was starting, it sounded just like you saying both probably will be redshirts.. Mark Greene @RJ said that despite these Jc db's knocking dirt of fellas in Ely, Grant and Dejock most likely won't start. How do you guys know this stuff? Experience with the coach?Coffee on tuesdays with Sanford and he tells ya what is really going to happen. How do you know?
Ryan, I need ask you though I am sure it is like asking a Magician the secret to a trick.last time a reporter said something about the depth chart and who was starting, it sounded just like you saying both probably will be redshirts.. Mark Greene @RJ said that despite these Jc db's knocking dirt of fellas in Ely, Grant and Dejock most likely won't start. How do you guys know this stuff? Experience with the coach?Coffee on tuesdays with Sanford and he tells ya what is really going to happen. How do you know?
JUST LIE,TELL ME SOMETHING